Thursday, April 30, 2009

Be careful what you ask for

Well, a friend, Marianne, decided to help me out with some of the fabrics I needed for my Mom's quilt and my DH's quilt. I think she went overboard. Look at what she sent me. I'm quilting a baby quilt for her and think I should do another one too.
Bow tie blocks that are the old way of making bow ties. I'll have to work on that process.
Pink and green strips, enough to pretty much make the whole quilt. I will need to get some more thangles because I need 1300 hst for Mom's quilt. It will be scrappy, so that will be fun to play with.
Then are the shirting fabrics for DH. He picked this quilt out, but I'm not sure he really likes it that much, so I think I will make it a bit different. Some stars in it.
And last, but not least, the QOV backing fabric.
This is a great help, but it does NOT help the stash busting at all. I am in the hole for 2 months in a row on stash busting. Makes me sad. But, when the quilts are completed, I think it will be OK.
I'm still getting in some ocean waves blocks from my birthday group. I think this is a fun way to add some spice to the quilt. My blocks were beginning to look allot alike. These have lots of different fabrics and only a few of my own. So, that is a fun process. I'm thinking I need to make a few more and make this a larger quilt. I really like it allot.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

What I was up to

Where was I all last week and what was I up to? Camping trip preparation and camping. Fun time.
I did this label for a friend, hope it works for her.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Sunday update

Fabric usage goal --100 yards-- 111.45 to go (going the wrong direction)
Fabric Added This Week - 7.25 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date - 47.75 yards
Fabric Used This Week -2.36 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date - 25.10 yards
Fabric Used this month - (7.75) yards
Net year to date: (11.45) yards (increase)

Judy is having us do the check in again this year. Accountability is a good thing, but I sure don't like it when I'm going the wrong way.
But, in my defense, I have had lots of other things going on and not doing lots of sewing. I will have a change next week -- as soon as I get the label done for the quilt I did last week. I did the label, but the stitching wouldn't show up on the backing fabric. I think because it was very busy and black and white. Nothing worked. So, now I'm going to do a black on white Kona. Hoping to get it done today and sewn by tomorrow. I'll have a full quilt from stash of use.

The only problem is we are out of school for a week and that means having a kid home. I won't be going on retreat this weekend because of the flu problem and not wanting to leave the area. So, I'm hoping I can talk my family into letting me quilt for most of the weekend. Wish me luck.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Black and White Quilt

Well, I finally got another quilt quilted. This is the black and white one. I have the binding on and ready to start sewing it down. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow and DH is driving, so I have an hour in the car and however long in the waiting room. Might get it close to done tomorrow. This one will count towards my fabric usage. Yes!!!
I quilted roses on it in white thread. I didn't have any problems with the machine this time, so maybe it was the need for a super cleaning.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Potholders

Well, I took the van into the shop today. I knew there was going to be a major expense, but I didn't realize how major. Boy, that was not what I wanted to hear. So, I decided to do some quilt therapy and made some potholders to donate to a church auction.
I didn't use up stash in the cabinets, but I did use some of the strings and some not so pretty FQs for the back of the potholders. It was a good mindless project to work on.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

other items

I am receiving the ocean waves blocks from my birthday block group. I actually have 20 (only 19 shown here) and more to come in. I'm excited to see what this quilt turns into. The photo is not so good because they are hung on the curtains.
This patriotic quilt is at a standstill because I need to make it wider, but don't have any more red work. I don't have any of the corner blocks, but could make more if I needed to. Any ideas, please let me know.

Friend's quilt quilted

I finally finished it!!!!
I did leaves in it. I'm having some issue with the machine, and I think it is the tracks. Not sure what is going on, but I do know there is something that is not right. Broke another needle. Second in the month and never before.

Sunday report

Do you ever get to the point where you say I do any more? Well, that is what happened to me this week and I decided not to go on the shop hop. I love them, but when I'm done I am exhausted. So, I stayed home. I got some things done in a relaxed pace, went to a memorial event for my parent's neighbor's husband, and started quilting a quilt that has been here way too long.

Fabric usage goal --100 yards-- 106.56 to go (going the wrong direction)
Fabric Added This Week - 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date - 40.50 yards
Fabric Used This Week -4.6 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date - 22.74 yards
Fabric Used this month - (2.86) yards
Net year to date: (6.56) yards (increase)

Judy is having us do the check in again this year. Accountability is a good thing

I did send some fabric to a friend, so that took a bit of yardage. Then, I made a tribal flag for the GS troop. That's all I got done this week.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

I've started it!

I have been procrastinating on starting this quilt. It is beautiful and I didn't want to ruin it. But, I've had it a long time and JoAnn will want it back sooner or later. It's already later. Well, I loaded it today and I started the leaf pattern on it. This will take some time, but I think it will be OK. Maybe I can get it mailed off on Monday. Wouldn't that be a surprise?
I'm doing OK, but have only made the first pass. Wish me luck

Friday, April 17, 2009

Butterfly quilt

Well, I got the borders on the butterfly black and white quilt. I've had a few of the borders left to add. I did it tonight. So, now to put the backing together and get it quilted before the end of the school year. Then, it will be one down and 3 to go. I have 2 of the 4 pieced. The 3rd one started and an idea for the 4th already. So, I'm on my way, but the first of June will get here too quickly, I'm sure.

Not much sewing this week

Wow, what a week this has been. I can't say I got much done in the sewing department. That is not the way I like it!!!

I have been so over whelmed that I decided to stay home instead of going on the shop hop. I did not have the energy to do it.
So, I'm hoping I can get something done tonight and then tomorrow. Wish me luck.
This is the charity quilt I finished the binding on this week.

My DD's Junior Girl Scout troop is going camping soon and they needed a tribal flag. We have some Brownies attending too, so this is the flag they came up with. This is the front. Notice the eyes in the OO and the bandanna on two of the O's. The bandanna is one of the swaps, along with the flashlight on the bottom and the tent.This is the back. Just a different layout. We did these by patrols. I cut out the letters after ironing on fusible webbing. I used the die cuts at school and it made it go very quickly. At least I got to use up some of the fabric I had on hand. That is the good thing. Now I need to put it on the pole to use at the camp out.
So, I did us something this week.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy Easter

Well, today was a family day.

We went out to brunch on base and had a great time.

As I was sitting in the car or sitting around home, I finished the binding on this donation quilt. This was the quick turnaround.

I'm struggling over a quilt that I need to make. I had one up on the wall, but it needs to be red and this one just is not cooperating.

Sunday update & Happy Easter

Fabric usage goal --100 yards-- 111.16 to go (going the wrong direction)
Fabric Added This Week - 15.75 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date - 40.50 yards
Fabric Used This Week -5.79 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date - 24.34 yards
Fabric Used this month - (7.46) yards
Net year to date: (11.16) yards (increase)

Judy is having us do the check in again this year. Accountability is a good thing

I did finish another UFO this week, but it was small, so I didn't use all that much fabric.

I finished a birthday block, but it was only 9". The fabric labels I forgot to take a photo of.

This is a charity quilt but I didn't make it. It was given to be to quilt and to donate. I used my own fabric for the binding only.

I have a couple of quilts I need to finish up for gifts, and hoping that they make a difference in my stash soon.

Have a wonderful Easter!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Saturday small group

We had only three of there today. Wanda was home not feeling well.
Ina was working on some tiny stars for a block of the month.
Lana was finishing up the top for the Woodland Oaks HOA donation quilt. It's now my time to quilt and bind it. What a fun quilt.
I didn't finish anything today. I did start working on the star points for the purple quilt I've been collecting fabrics for. I sewed all the ones I'd already cut, but I think I need lots more to make this quilt. I really need to figure out how many I need. Might be helpful? So, now I have some star points and some 4 patches. I could start putting a block together to see how it looks. That should be fun.
I started working on the baby quilt that I need. This panel came in a kit, but I didn't like the big slabs of fabric they used to put it together. So, I am winging it. I put the square in a square between parts of the panel. Now, I need to figure out how many more I need to make in order to make it wider. I really wanted to finish something today, but the day was a slow day. I might need to add in some oher fabrics to this kit. We shall see.
It was good to be out with friends.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Charity quilt

Well, I did the different quilting pattern on the charity quilt. I'm not sure I like it, but it was an interesting process. I have about 8 inches to finish the binding. Here is the close up.

Still working away

I am more than half done on the binding on the quilt I tried the new design on. Only problem, I didn't take a picture of it yet. I will when the binding is done.


I started quilting another charity quilt with some brown variegated thread. I think the thread is actually too soft for the Gammill. I was trying it out before I used it on the friend's wonderful quilt and am glad I did. Now to find some better thread for her quilt.


I'm getting my ocean waves birthday blocks in. 2 have come in so far. They are so pretty. I will have fun putting this one together. I have 16 of mine (one is missing because it is in the bag to work on this weekend) and the 2 birthday ones. They will add variety to my quilt. I should end up with 14 of these from others. 14 + 16 = 30. How many more do I need? Thanks for all sending in my blocks.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Birthday giveaway

What about this idea? A Mom is giving away 30 FQs for her daughter's birthday.

Go leave a comment and tell her where you found out about it.
This should be fun.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Purple FQs

So, for all wondering why I'm getting so many purple FQs, this is why.

This is not 100% accurate, because I don't know how to do the partial blocks in the borders yet in EQ, but this is what the purple fqs are going to be making. There are two blocks to this one. The 54/40 or fight and the cups and saucer blocks. No curved piecing, but it sure looks like it. I have lots of the 4 patches started and am doing leader enders for them. I have some of the star points cut and ready to sew. I need to do some half square triangles and flying geese. I want to try the new no waste flying geese and see if that is easier than some of the others I've done.

Birthday FQs

Well, it isn't quite my birthday, but they came in the mail and I'm a bit down, so I decided to open it and enjoy.

Aren't they pretty.

I can us the purple ones immediately. I need the red and blue for DH's quilt and the light pink and flowered ones for Mom's quilt. The rest will be enjoyed later.
Thank you, everyone for the beautiful fabric!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Sunday update

Ended March in the hole 17.37 yards. That's from all the purple quilt fabrics I needed. I'll use most of that up while making this purple quilt. So, I start April with this:

Fabric usage goal --100 yards-- 104.74 to go
Fabric Added This Week - 8.25 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date - 33 yards
Fabric Used This Week -4.71 yards
Fabric Used Year to Date - 23.26 yards
Fabric Used this month - (1.04) yards
Net year to date: (4.74) yards

Judy is having us do the check in again this year. Accountability is a good thing I did finish making a birthday block for the birthday runaways. I also finished the flowered 4-patch. So, I did a little this week. I worked on a number of other quilts, but they are not finished, so don't count for my stash busting.

Next week might be a problem too because of it being my birthday week. Gifts of fabric seem to come in around this time of year.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

First Saturday Sew-in

Well, DD and I went to a sewing day with my small group.

Wanda had her granddaughter (she's a month older than my DD) over, so the girls had featherweights in the extra room, along with a TV. LOL They did a little sewing, a little TV watching, lots of talking, lots of eating, a walk to the park and some computer time. It was fun to see DD get along with another girl so well. My DD is one that gravitates to boys, so this is a change. A welcome one.

This is Lana's Texas apron. If you look at the pattern above it, you can see how it will turn out. I love the idea. She also worked on the donation quilt for the place we meet each month. I didn't get a photo of that one.

Here are the two girls eating and watching TV rather than sewing.
My DD un-sewing her pillow she is making.
This is my black and white butterfly quilt. It will have a thin black border, a thin white border and then a wider black border. Thinking to bind in black.
The birthday block for this month. It is also my birthday, and I can't wait to see what my blocks look like. I don't remember what fabric I sent or what block I asked for. So, it will be a big surprise for me.

Wanda made this disappearing 9-patch before today and did the quilting on it. She quilted these two Christmas trees too.

Friday, April 3, 2009

More Purple FQs

I think they are almost all in -- maybe one more package.

The two sets that came today are absolutely stunning. I think this is going to be one beautiful quilt. I probably need to get more white/off white variety. It probably doesn't matter as much as the purples.
I'll be working on this one while at the sewing get together tomorrow. Hope to have some photos of maybe a block put together. I need to cut more. LOL

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Love quilt

Well, this one started out to be a love quilt, but I'm not sure what it is going to be. I found another one that fit her better. So, this one will wait for the right person to come along that needs a quilt. I might have an extra quilt in my house for more than a couple of days???

So, what am I working on now? I have a charity quilt ready to load, but I want to use some leftover batting that I need to stitch together. As soon as I get it together, I'll load and play with and see if I can duplicate this pattern that Ros sent me a picture of. I'm going to try something new. Kim is always telling me to get out of my comfort zone. This is definitely out. LOL
I'm still making black and white stars. I'm thinking I want to make a checkerboard or something like that for the border. Still debating with myself on this one. I think it needs some zing. Ideas?